Chapter 21
Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Sect Mission (5)
Geum So-ryeo found herself growing curious about Yong Yoo even as she searched for a suitable cultivation method for him. She ordered the steward in charge of Sea Severing Peak's sect slaves and miscellaneous affairs to look into him.
"You're referring to Inner Disciple Yong Yoo, I presume."
The elderly steward of Sea Severing Peak received Geum So-ryeo's command alongside his prospective successor and managed to uncover every detail of Yong Yoo's activities in a mere incense stick's time.
Geum So-ryeo learned it all, starting from how Yong Yoo had joined High Heaven Sect, his days as an outer disciple, his entry into Present Music Peak and life there, the sudden change in him, his clash with Mun Yoo, and his transfer to Sea Severing Peak—every single detail.
But she paid no mind to his shady past or his abrupt personality shift. She focused on just one thing.
"He single-handedly subjugated the Wood Fiend Queen?"
Jo Jeong-deok had shouldered the blame for destroying the spirit herb habitat to befriend Yong Yoo, but he hadn't touched the honor of felling the Wood Fiend Queen alone. He'd handed it over entirely to Yong Yoo.
Thanks to that, Geum So-ryeo now knew Yong Yoo had taken down a Core Formation Realm monster with only the power of Foundation Establishment Layer 2.
'I saw he had talent for Dao Combat, and when I tested him before, he was exceptionally strong even among those at the same realm. But crossing a major realm boundary?'
Geum So-ryeo wondered what enlightenment Yong Yoo had achieved to gain such overwhelming power. At the same time, her expectations for him soared.
She headed to her secret chamber, stocked with fortuitous encounters gathered from her travels, and began searching for a method that would suit Yong Yoo and make him stronger.
Most of her disciples so far had been single-element spiritual root holders, at the very least dual-element. Anything less, and they couldn't demonstrate the talent she demanded.
As such, she had few methods prepared for those with three-element spiritual roots or more.
But she did have some.
"Hm. This one... It's an intriguing method I kept for study purposes."
From time to time, extraordinary geniuses emerged among those with multiple spiritual roots.
In fact, it was often the opposite. Since mixed roots made it hard to reach high realms with ordinary methods, they thrashed about desperately, birthing techniques that transcended their innate aptitudes—many born from the hands of multi-root wielders.
'He's cultivated a Buddhist method and reached Foundation Establishment Layer 2 with it, so even if his progress is slow, he must have the temperament to endure and cultivate steadily.'
Next, recalling Yong Yoo's personality, she excluded any deviant methods incompatible with Buddhist arts and selected ones matching his nature—slow to build power but steady and reliable.
'...This will have to be it. Tripartite Origin Scripture.'
After two days of deliberation, Geum So-ryeo settled on the perfect method for Yong Yoo. She then began gathering the benefits she would bestow if he became a direct disciple.
'From the look of all those trinkets hanging from his belt, he needs plenty of storage pouches. Three should do. He already has a powerful gourd and sword treasure, so no need there... but no defensive treasure, so one of those. He doesn't scatter his learning across random spells; he hones what he knows. Still, no wood-element spells, so I should prepare some. He needs to make full use of what he has.'
Geum So-ryeo stuffed storage pouches with the Tripartite Origin Scripture to start, along with magic artifacts, treasures, and spell manuals. If Yong Yoo failed the direct disciple trial, it would all go to waste, but she didn't care.
'For the Tripartite Origin Scripture, he'll need a place brimming with fire, water, and wood spiritual qi. He preferred living in the eastern wing over the front hall, and according to Mun-hyang, he's brewing spirit liquor with spirit farming techniques inside there, growing spirit crops and herbs...'
Next, she scouted a suitable spot in the eastern wing for Yong Yoo's new abode and personally dug it out.
With a few gestures, she carved out a deep cavern. She laid out fine rush cushions so he could sit comfortably for long cultivation sessions without numbing his rear, and piled his bed high with soft, high-quality fabrics and leathers for perfect rest.
She then planted array flags throughout, activating formations that gathered fire, water, and wood spiritual qi—an ideal environment for cultivating the Tripartite Origin Scripture.
The one drawback was that the method didn't pair well with pills for training, but Geum So-ryeo had already realized Yong Yoo could substitute with spirit liquor.
Thus, she prepared top-grade spirit liquor brewing tools, seeds for spirit crops and herbs infused with fire, water, and wood qi, and dedicated storage for the finished brew.
It was truly a cavern for Yong Yoo, by Yong Yoo, and optimized entirely for him.
"This should do it."
Having prepared everything, Geum So-ryeo sent word via sound transmission jade token to her direct disciples, awaiting the direct disciple trial.
"My disciples. A direct disciple trial will be held tomorrow. If any of you wish to observe, come to the main hall of Peak Lord's Pavilion by the start of the noon hour. Mun Yoo will serve as examiner, so he must attend without fail."
After sending the message, Geum So-ryeo returned to Peak Lord's Pavilion and briefed the disciple who would oversee tomorrow's trial.
No caves or halls stood near Sea Severing Peak's Peak Lord's Pavilion.
Geum So-ryeo had never minded her disciples settling close by, but when she—a Soul Transformation Realm cultivator—cultivated, all nearby spiritual qi was sucked dry. No one could train there even if they wanted to, so they naturally chose spots far from the pavilion.
Perched at the precarious edge of her cultivation range was a massive hall. Inside sat a man in golden robes, deep in meditation.
He heard Geum So-ryeo's voice from the sound transmission jade token but ignored it completely, focusing solely on his own cultivation.
The man's identity was Mun Yoo, Sea Severing Peak's direct disciple.
This spot, close to Geum So-ryeo, was all the more deserted for it. Since she practiced laissez-faire with her disciples unless bestowing opportunities, he'd built his dwelling right next to her.
Above all, Mun Yoo didn't cultivate by drawing heaven-and-earth spiritual qi anyway, so her sessions never disturbed him.
At 35, he'd reached Foundation Establishment Layer 1 and promptly passed Geum So-ryeo's direct disciple trial with flying colors, making a name for himself as the newest one.
But due to his special Dual Fate Scripture, he hadn't received many opportunities from her. Wary of prying eyes, his karmic force cultivation lagged, limiting him to Foundation Establishment Layer 4 after eight years as her direct disciple.
'A new direct disciple?'
Having successfully sealed all the sins accumulated in his body as karmic force, Mun Yoo opened his eyes and glanced at the jade token.
Once soft-featured and gentle, earning him the moniker "beautiful youth," Mun Yoo now had sharp, slitted eyes after eleven years with the Dual Fate Scripture—whatever ordeals he'd endured. His bulging, roving gaze soured moods just to look at, and his twisted lips seemed perpetually displeased.
His petty nature showed plain on his face.
'Tch. No time to waste on that nonsense. I barely gathered enough "cultivation materials" on my last external mission, so I was planning to head out again.'
Lately, Mun Yoo had been in high spirits, having found a cultivation method that suited him.
After proving himself through repeated sect missions, he'd qualified for external ones.
External missions lived up to the name: venturing outside the sect to roam the world and complete tasks.
That meant no need to mind the endless scrutiny within High Heaven Sect. Mun Yoo eagerly took them on, slipping in and out to "cultivate."
He usually targeted lone cultivation materials to hide his tracks, but when he struck rare gatherings in remote villages—true fortuitous encounters—he reveled in elevating his "realm," pure bliss.
Thanks to that, he'd broken through his Foundation Establishment Layer 3 stagnation to Layer 4. A few more external missions or one good opportunity, and Layer 5 was within reach—he was sure of it.
And now this pointless new direct disciple business was interrupting his cultivation...
Mun Yoo irritably snatched up the jade token to refuse the examiner role. But Geum So-ryeo's voice rang out again.
[Geum So-ryeo]
Mun Yoo. Let me brief you on tomorrow's trial. Your opponent is named Yong Yoo...
The information that followed made Mun Yoo's eyes flash wide.
"Yong Yoo? Did you say Yong Yoo?"
[Geum So-ryeo]
Yes. You're aware of him, no doubt? I know there's bad blood between you, but the rule is the trial must be against the direct disciple closest in realm. Set aside any grudges and focus on the exam.
"......"
Hearing Geum So-ryeo's advice, Mun Yoo flashed a twisted smile, as if to say not to worry.
"Rest assured, Master. It was just a brief spat eleven years ago, nothing more. No grudges here."
[Geum So-ryeo]
Good. That's a relief.
Geum So-ryeo.
If she had one glaring weakness, it was...
...trusting her dear direct disciples too much.
"Yong Yoo. Yong Yoo. Yong Yoo!! That bastard... I've finally found you!"
Mun Yoo drew the new sword Geum So-ryeo had given him, slowly inspecting the blade. Already soaked in the blood of countless "cultivation materials," it seemed to drip gore at a mere glance.
Tomorrow, he would layer fresh blood atop it. A pleased chuckle escaped his lips.